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Your July Questions Answered (Part 3 of 4)

Eddie Johnson 1 (AP)

Welcome to the latest installment of Your Questions Answered, with the third of a four-part series on July questions.

This batch of questions has a good number of MLS questions, as well as some Americans Abroad queries, with Freddy Adu and Eddie Johnson among the players people want to know about. The most popular subject looks to be Landon Donovan's future and where it will take him.

Just as a head's up, I will be looking to finish the last batch of July questions this week, which will hopefully clear the way for a new Q&A on Friday. Get your questions ready now.

Let's get back to the questions. Here is Part Three of Your July Questions Answered:

SMITS– Dynamo Assistant John Spencer has come up as a Head Coaching candidate several times in the past. Which do you think is more likely he kicking himself for not taking the Chicago job when he had the chance or him scratching his head when he wasn't automatically offered the Colorado job when it became available? Also where/when do you see him finally getting his chance to call the shots.

IVES– I don’t think Spencer regrets not taking the Chicago job. For one, the Fire was offering very low money, secondly, sources tell me that Fire owner Andrew Hauptman has morphed into a heavy-handed owner who is just a tad too involved in soccer matters (think Dan Snyder with less knowledge of the sport his team plays.). As for Colorado, I’m not sure Spencer wants to go their either. Where does that leave? How about Toronto FC in 2010? Would it be far-fetched to see a Scottish head coach working with Mo Johnston? New York will be available but I’m not sure Red Bull will want a coach with no head coaching experience.

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RYAN– I realize Donovan probably won't move until January, but what are the chances a deal gets announced before the MLS season is over? Any insider info on possible destinations (other than Livorno)?

IVES– If Donovan moves in the winter we won’t hear about it until late December at the absolute earliest. I’m pretty sure the Galaxy won’t want any distractions once the playoffs begin (and yes, they look like a good bet to get their.)

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CYRUS– With Kenny Cooper's move to 1860 Munich, what does this mean for U-20s Peri Marosevic and Brek Shea on FC Dallas? Will Dallas bring in another forward or are they content with Shea being the future starter at that position? I'd like to see them get a lot more playing time, especially considering Cunningham can't have too much left in the tank. On the contrary, do you see Marosevic or Shea possibly making a move to Europe after the U-20 World Cup in the fall?

IVES– Cooper’s departure, coupled with Dallas’ poor playoff chances, should mean increased playing time for both Shea and Marosevic. Schellas Hyndman has a ton of young talent that could develop into a pretty strong MLS team if given the chance to gain experience and grow. If Dallas falls into the trap of bringing in foreign veterans and giving them the bulk of playing time in a season where the playoffs are a real long-shot, then Dallas could miss out on a chance to develop one of the league’s best collections of young talent.

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RAOUL DUKE– Very well done. I hope that this leads to other opportunities with ESPN as you clearly can be that much-needed bridge between American soccer and world football.

My questions:

1) Wither Freddy Adu? My Portugese friend states what he reads in the Lisbon paper is that Benfica is not prepared to sell him at a loss or even loan him. So are they going to keep him on the bench? Can Adu force their hand?

2) Champions League on Fox. We're now less than three weeks away and I have not heard their broadcast plans in terms of announcers, future HDTV plans, etc?

3) La Liga on ESPN. Am I correct that they have the rights to La Liga in the States? If so, same question on announcers, which matches, etc.

IVES– 1. Looks like a loan is in the works. I have a feeling they might have thought about keeping him before being gifted Keirrison by Barcelona on loan.

2. I still haven’t heard anything either so I wouldn’t be shocked if they simply took the European feed rather than using in-house announcers. As for HD, keep dreaming. Fox won’t have it until 2010.

3. Yes, ESPN secured rights to La Liga in the states, though I’m not sure just how many of the matches will air on English-language ESPN networks. I would imagine they’ll use European-based English feeds for those games as well.

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ISAAC– should the league(MLS) lose the salary cap. we have seen european and mexican clubs come here and sell out stadiums. should a team (an example like the la galaxy ) and the league be penalized and made to lose out on money just cause the san jose earthquakes want the ability to pay players a little more than minimum wage. thank you for your time.

IVES– I think the cap should stay, but should be increased. You can’t just go from having a cap to having no cap. I think a gradual chance is what the league must go through. Overspending without a solid economic infrastructure isn’t a good formula for long-term success. Haven’t we learned anything from the NASL?

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MIKE– With the start of the regular season around the corner in Europe, is it safe to say we have seen the last of the transfers of the american players, i.e. Dempsey, Altidore, and Bradley?

IVES– Jozy Altidore’s move to Hull is the most recent for an American, but I think we’ll see Freddy Adu loaned somewhere before the transfer window closes (not to mention a Zak Whitbread move.

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ROEHL– Last week was a very entertaining set of MLS matches, and I think the action in the league and with the national team has been better this season than last, but I don't see Eurosnobs coming over and supporting American soccer. Yet certain fans have tried to de-Americanize the sport in recent years. Are the league's overtures about shifting the league calendar, and ESPN's moves towards European commentators for the next World Cup really about getting "diehard" soccer fans, or is it just to appease the fans that American soccer already has?

IVES– I don’t think the league has many any overtures about shifting the league calendar. You’ve had some people suggest that the league needs to (such as Sepp Blatter). As for European commentators for the next World Cup, I think the success of Andy Gray at last year’s Euros showed that an American audience will embrace quality announcers, no matter the nationality.

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GMONSOON43– What do you think benefits a national team more, having most of its players in the same league with all similar playing styles(England, Spain, Germany) or have players from various different leagues with different styles to bring to the team(Brazil, US)?

IVES– Ultimately what benefit’s a national team is players playing at a high level regularly. If you’re Spain, England, Italy or Germany, then you can find that in your domestic league, but if you’re most leagues beyond the Top Four your talent pool is more likely going to need to go abroad to play at as high a level as possible.

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CREIGE– Call it a Donovan fixation but am I dreaming that he would be a great fit for Everton's midfield especially with Arteta still in recovery? There are very few teams where I think he would be an instant fit but this is one of them.

IVES– Given Everton’s dire need formore offensive punch I think it’s fair to say that any quality attacking player would be a good fit for the Blues, and yes, Donovan would fit that category.

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STL SOCCER FAN– With the MLS transfer window recently opening, do you see another Designated player being brought in by any teams? Who could you see coming in?

On the other hand, which MLS stars appear on the way out as the Cooper news has just broken?

IVES– Nope, I don’t see anybody unveiling a big-ticket player this transfer window. Now, in 2010, I think we should see a handful of new DP signings (assuming DP slots are brought back.

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FREDDY ADU & ANONYMOUS– 1) Where can a brotha get some playing time?

2) Why did Houston get the 2010 All-Star game? Wouldn’t it better to wait couple of year and have it at their new SSS?

IVES– 1. I hear Denmark has some PT, while Belgium and the Netherlands are also possibilities.

2. Good question on this one. You’ve got Philly and New York opening stadiums in 2010 yet neither will host the All-Star Game? That’s pretty shocking if you. Something tells me they’re hoping that a successful All-Star Game helps them pump some more local interest in the Dynamo and its stadium project. Either that or MLS is trying to save on airfare since we know Dom Kinnear and half the Dynamo will be selected to the West team next year anyway.

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FULHAM PETE– It seems like there's a LOT of money being spent by City and RM, and not much of it is getting spent on replacements. I have a theory that a couple of those teams watched Landon torch Spain and Brazil, and don't want to pay a mid-MLS transfer, but would shell out some of the earned transfer bucks in January.

So, whaddaya think?

IVES– Nice theory Pete, and it would be nice to see Donovan go to a top club come January. I do see him leaving MLS in January, but whether MLS actually gets the money it’s looking for remains to be seen. European clubs don’t always want to spend for mid-season signings.

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WAITING FOR GUITEAU– David Beckham, then Freddie Ljungberg. I had heard rumors that Thierry Henry wanted to retire to Red Bull New York a few years ago, but somehow I think Barca's recent success will put that on hold. Who do you think is the next big European star to close out their career in MLS? Also, of the US players currently still playing domestically, who do you think will be the next big export?

IVES-No idea who the next Dps will be, but something tells me we’ll have some big signings in the summer of 2010, after the World Cup. As for who is leaving the league, I’d say Landon Donovan should be the league’s big departure, with Stuart Holden also very likely to move on.

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JOE GOLDSTEIN-What team do you root for in the MLS?

IVES– I don’t root for any team. Never did, never will. I root for good soccer, great goal and great stories.

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JASEN– What's up with Setanta U.S.? Is it worth it to order the channel now that Setanta UK has gone bankrupt?

IVES– Setanta USA is still airing EPL games, as well as other soccer games, so if you had it before there’s no reason yet to get rid of it.

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STL SOCCER FAN– Have you heard any news about Eddie Johnson at Fulham? With their Europa Status this season it would seem as if there will be more opportunities to play than last year as Fulham will be looking for depth. It would be nice to see him getting some PT at Fulham.

IVES– As it stands, Johnson looks to have done enough during the pre-season to impress Roy Hodgson and earn himself a place on the roster. Given his pre-season success you might have thought he’d have some sort of role but Johnson didn’t dress for the opener. With the Europa League and the domestic cups you would think Johnson would have a chance for PT, but if there isn’t going to be playing time then the Cottagers need to loan him out again and give him a chance to play regularly.

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DIGITAL TAKAWIRA-You have the power to eliminate one element from the modern game, what do you choose?

a) Exorbitant transfer prices
b) Diving/play-acting
c) Vuvuzelas
d) Other (please specify)

You have to power to add one element to the MLS, what do you choose?

a) Larger salary caps and/or DP slots
b) Designated away-supporter sections
c) World-class referees
d) Other (please specify)

IVES– I’d probably go B and then C. I know transfer problems are an issue but I just absolutely hate any and all forms of diving and pretending, whether you’re pretending to have been fouled, or pretending a slight slap to the head was a full-blown elbow. It’s all a pitiful scar on the game. As for the MLS question, I was torn between A and C and was left thinking that even if the quality of players improved, if the referees were still bad the game would still be ruined far too often.

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What do you think of these answers? Share your thoughts below (also, let me know at what time of the day you would like to see me post the next Q&A).

Comments

  1. Hi Ives,

    Love the site (I check it every day), kkep up the good job.

    Here’s a three-part question:

    1- Do you think Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore will play for the USA in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt?

    2- What do you think are the chances of the U-20 USA team of winning WITH them?

    3- What would the chances be to win it WITHOUT them?

    Thanks

    Reply
  2. I moved to LA in June of 97 and started attending games that season. By 98 I was a partial season ticket holder, and by the move to Carson a full season ticket holder. In December of 06 I moved back to Houston and have been a Dynamo season ticket holder since 07. I was telling my 8 year old (who has been my companion at games since he was 3) the other day that one neat thing for me about being an MLS supporter is knowing the FULL history of the league since its inception until I die. That’s kinda cool.

    Reply
  3. Gotta say I agree with you on most everything Ives, great work. You have no MLS team that you support? How about Dallas? We need supporters in the worst way.

    Get rid of diving/acting at every level. It is bad for the game, period. What about a future promotion relegation format for MLS. I realize it may be many years away, but that’s the way football is supposed to be, right?

    Reply
  4. Do you think Whitbread’s injury will affect his potential signing to an EPL club?

    For someone who does not have Setanta Sports, should I get it or wait to see what happens? In other words, how likely is it Setanta USA folds?

    Reply
  5. @Leonardo, my first MLS game was Mutiny at DC in July 1997 — was so disgusted at the quality of play that I didn’t go to another game until the Dynamo landed in Houston almost a decade later.

    Reply
  6. Howard Webb is an incredible ref and gets most of the big games in the EPL. Never been a fan of any referee, but Webb deserves some props.

    La Liga refs are pathetic, just as bad as MLS. Yes, I mean it.

    Reply
  7. i’m curious to know:
    Who here was at the inaugural MLS match where they handed out San Jose Clash posters of Eric Wynalda? who of the 31,683 saw clash vs. dc?

    reminiscing… i was 15 at the time

    Reply
  8. Digital had the best question

    b) Designated away-supporter sections
    i think the die-hard MLS teams are doing it right. check out last weekend’s *Seattle* vs. Galaxy game. There’s a SoCal Sound group that reserves a section at Home Depot Center games when Sounders are in town! ya they had signs and all. woo hoo!

    great to see MLS like this

    Reply
  9. Jamoke, yep, same here.
    And JD, coincidentally, I just checked if I too had Setanta free for the week. And alas, I do, and what was showing when I clicked on it?
    IOSS.
    Albeit in an old episode. …

    Reply
  10. Jamoke,

    Directv does a free preview of Setanta the first weekend of each season. You’ll notice it going away soon. I just switched to Verizon Fios and noticed they don’t do a free preview weekend of Setanta.

    Reply
  11. What is the probability of another FA training our officials? Not very likely. I think they do some swapping at lower levels (ie. youth & amature) but as far as MLS and EPL, La Liga, ect. they would not invest in that them selves.

    I do find it funny that we expext referee to make less mistakes than players. I know we see the Referee mistakes as costing teams games but if you look at all the mistakes players make it is kind of funny that we pick on the referee so much.

    Reply
  12. Every sqaud in the MLS has at least one diver. If the refs would just realize it than the problem would go away. As for the Euro Leagues every player dives. It not fixable their.

    Reply
  13. As a Fire supporter, I will gladly give you Hamlett for JCO.

    Any takers?

    My 4 year old son makes better decisions than DH.

    Reply
  14. I would also vote for ‘B’ and ‘C’ in the last question. Speaking of diving, did you see Espindola get Hainault sent off on Saturday? Shameless. I thought a couple of the Dynamo players were going to kill that flopping little b!tch

    Reply
  15. How does Osorio still have a job?

    Posted by: Fred Sapper | August 17, 2009 at 02:46 PM

    Seriously, it is getting embarassing now. I would think Red Bull would want to bring someone in to try and win some this season to give these guys some confidence going into next year. Make it an interim coach, doesn’t even have to be the coach for next year, as long as it isn’t Osorio.

    Reply
  16. as a redskins fan i resent the implication that dan snyder knows anything about football.

    (SBI-Hey, I’m a Redskins fan too and while Snyder may not know much about football at least he followed it passionately before he owned the team.)

    Reply
  17. Oh and PS, I wasn’t trying to be a jerk by pointing out that the pic is old. Just thought it was funny. Also the fact that he is playing against Man U is amusing. It says a lot about the expectations when he went over and where he is at today.

    That said he looks like he will get on the pitch some. Especially if they make Europa group stages. If they lose their qualifiers and Kamara stays, he will be loaned out again i think.

    Reply
  18. Couldn’t get a more up to date picture of Eddie Johnson playing. That is from 07/08 season. Jimmy Bullard is in the background.

    (SBI-David, when’s the last time Johnson played an EPL game for Fulham?)

    He hasn’t since then but he did appear in their last Europa League match in which he picked up an assist. I think he is wearing some funky hot pink boots these days. Pretty flamboyant for a guy who isn’t even making the team with any regularity. I remember EPL announcers poking fun at Clints, I think green, boots once implying that he shouldn’t were something that color unless he is on a level of a Cristiano Ronaldo or something. It was amusing. So I am sure he will get flack for them if he does come on ever.

    Reply
  19. New Question for Ives: Do you think most of those who write on your board are jerks?

    (SBI- No, I wouldn’t say that. A few are jerks.)

    Reply
  20. Do you have any thoughts or predictions on the Champions league match tomm. between Columbus and Puerto Rico? I was personally hoping that Toronto would advance so the Crew could get the easy points but i’ll take a USL team too.

    Reply
  21. Couldn’t get a more up to date picture of Eddie Johnson playing. That is from 07/08 season. Jimmy Bullard is in the background.

    (SBI-David, when’s the last time Johnson played an EPL game for Fulham?)

    Reply
  22. Speaking of euro announcers, any idea where Ray Hudson is this early season? I haven’t heard him on any of the Bundesliga broadcasts on gol so far. I can’t bear the thought of Pablo ruining a La Liga game with his schtick.

    I had Setanta this weekend too Jamoke. NO idea what is up.

    Reply
  23. Howard Webb? Seriously? There’s a reason why he wasn’t picked to ref any of the knock-out stage matches at the Euros last year. Like most things English, he is vastly overrated.

    Reply
  24. What is MLS’s ref development program? Seems like they should form a partnership with England FA to create a “boot camp” that would advance ref education and professionalism.

    Reply
  25. Ives,
    I have never subscribed to Setanta but I noticed just recently that I am getting it for free. I did a cursory look on the internet but couldn’t find anything about a “free preview.” Any insight on whether Setanta will be free because of their financial troubles, or am I just getting my hopes up? I have DirecTV by the way.

    Reply
  26. Come on Ives and Digital! We all know there’s no such thing as “world-class” referees. 😀

    (SBI-There are some, just not in MLS or England.)

    Reply

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